[Fic] Lost & Found
Apr. 10th, 2021 08:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chirurgiqueTitle: Lost & Found
Fandom: Kingdom Hearts
Relationship: Ventus & Lauriam
Rating: G
Content notes: discussion of amnesia
Words: 1,077
Summary: Despite regaining a few memories of training under Master Xehanort, the lion’s share of Ventus’s history is still one big blank. Even so, does that mean he should just believe anyone who waltzes into his life and claims to be his friend? Some would definitely say no. But Ven is an optimist.
It wasn’t yet morning when Ven found himself wandering, strolling with no particular purpose over the bridges between islands that branched out from the main Land of Departure castle grounds. He shoved his hands in his pockets and whistled a bit. The stars in the sky were still in the process of winking out, so it would be a while yet before anyone else would rouse for the day, leaving him with nothing to do. He hadn’t exactly gotten the longest sleep the night before, so the best use of this idle time might have actually been to go right back to bed. But there was no chance of that happening. These days, when he woke, he woke for good.
He rounded a corner, over the grass and past a crumbling old stone wall, and came upon yet another clearing, a little disc of green crowning one of the ancient rocky plateaus, floating high over the unfathomable mists below. This one was special for a couple reasons. First of all, you had a straight shot to the castle doors themselves from here — he could see the windows of his home peeking out like eyes through the predawn murk. But more importantly, this was where he and his friends had left their monument to Master Eraqus. Even as he approached, he could hear the soft clink of the Wayfinders against the metal of the old Keyblade as they were buffeted in the breeze. And most precious of all, this was a place where Ven and his friends had shared some of the memories that he kept the closest to his heart.
But for today only, there was a fourth reason this place was special. Because to Ven’s surprise, he found he hadn’t been the first one awake this morning after all. Near the Master’s memorial, sitting with his back to Ven and his legs dangling over the edge of the island, was that man, the visitor.
Ven, Terra, Aqua, and their pre-existing guest Riku had stayed up long into the night hashing it out with this guy and the blonde lady he had arrived with. Terra had been in favour of forgiveness, Aqua had wanted to know more about their goals, Riku had cautioned against suddenly-recalled connections blooming in the minds of people who had spent so much time in Castle Oblivion. Ven guessed he had drifted off at some point, because he couldn’t remember how the conversation had ended.
He also couldn’t remember this person, Lauriam.
But that wasn’t going to stop him from saying hello, especially when he had already had so long to grow restless with the anticipation of getting to wish someone good morning.
Dozens of hazily-formed strategies for how to approach the situation flashed through Ven’s mind, but in the end he just chose what he usually did and decided not to overthink it. “Nice morning, huh?”
Lauriam only half-turned. Ven strode over and settled down on the edge like he would if it were just Terra or Aqua. This was his home, he was comfortable here, and acting like things were normal and fine was gonna make it be the case.
Lauriam watched Ven sit, then gestured to the wide sky in front of them. “This is what passes for morning in such places?”
Ven looked out. The ink of the sky was only just barely lightening over the distant mountains. He turned back to smile at Lauriam guiltily. Lauriam had one eyebrow quirked, but his own smile was fond.
Ven drummed his heels against the cliff face below him. “So... what did you guys decide at the meeting last night? I think I feel asleep before it ended.”
Lauriam sighed. “Not much, I’m afraid. My plans to prove my claims were essentially dashed by the unavailability of your Chirithy.”
“Ah, geez.” Ven had been awake for Lauriam’s initial request to call for Chirithy, but had missed the resolution. “Well, if it helps, Chirithy usually only goes out to look for Sora for about a week at a time. They’ll be back in a few days, probably? Or maybe even less if they find something good!” Ven laughed a little weakly, and hoped that Lauriam wouldn’t want to follow that particular line of conversation.
“I’m afraid that even a few days isn’t something we can spare at just this moment. For the sake of our current mission, as soon as Elrena awakes, we must move on.” Lauriam had his hand to his mouth in contemplation, but thankfully it seemed to be about something Ven couldn’t comprehend.
“Oh... well, I mean... another time, then, I guess, right?” He raised his arms, elbows bent and fists balled, as if to try to galvanize fighting spirit. It was too early in the morning to start thinking about Sora, but his heart still went out to whatever it was that was making Lauriam make that face.
Lauriam dropped his hand and chuckled softly. Mission success. “So much verve for so early in the day. Would that we could all have your energy, Ven.”
Ven smiled back, a beaming grin. He still wasn’t sure what to think about this stranger who had emerged from the void and claimed to be a piece in the puzzle of his missing memories. But it hadn’t escaped his notice that he hadn’t had to introduce himself to Lauriam. And, well... his friends called him Ven.
“On that note, I should check to see if my companion is ready to depart.” Slowly, Lauriam levered himself to his feet, particularly elegantly for someone whose knees doubtlessly ached from the chill of the small hours. “Even so, I hope you won’t mind that once my current task is done, my intention is to return here with some regularity to see how you are doing.”
“Sure thing! Door’s always open.” Ven twisted where he was sitting to offer a goodbye wave.
Lauriam smiled back at him, unspoken words etched on his face. Maybe Ven would get to hear them another time. This time, Lauriam just said, “It seems I’m powerless to stand in the way of my old habits as an older sibling. Perhaps that makes me weak.”
“What, no way!” Ven shook his head. “If anything, I’d say that makes you kind.”
Lauriam breathed a rueful laugh at that. He looked away from Ven, at the horizon.
“I’m glad,” he said, “that I found you.”
The sun was coming up.
Written for the prompt “Family” for Day 6 of KHUx Week. Thanks for reading!
Fandom: Kingdom Hearts
Relationship: Ventus & Lauriam
Rating: G
Content notes: discussion of amnesia
Words: 1,077
Summary: Despite regaining a few memories of training under Master Xehanort, the lion’s share of Ventus’s history is still one big blank. Even so, does that mean he should just believe anyone who waltzes into his life and claims to be his friend? Some would definitely say no. But Ven is an optimist.
It wasn’t yet morning when Ven found himself wandering, strolling with no particular purpose over the bridges between islands that branched out from the main Land of Departure castle grounds. He shoved his hands in his pockets and whistled a bit. The stars in the sky were still in the process of winking out, so it would be a while yet before anyone else would rouse for the day, leaving him with nothing to do. He hadn’t exactly gotten the longest sleep the night before, so the best use of this idle time might have actually been to go right back to bed. But there was no chance of that happening. These days, when he woke, he woke for good.
He rounded a corner, over the grass and past a crumbling old stone wall, and came upon yet another clearing, a little disc of green crowning one of the ancient rocky plateaus, floating high over the unfathomable mists below. This one was special for a couple reasons. First of all, you had a straight shot to the castle doors themselves from here — he could see the windows of his home peeking out like eyes through the predawn murk. But more importantly, this was where he and his friends had left their monument to Master Eraqus. Even as he approached, he could hear the soft clink of the Wayfinders against the metal of the old Keyblade as they were buffeted in the breeze. And most precious of all, this was a place where Ven and his friends had shared some of the memories that he kept the closest to his heart.
But for today only, there was a fourth reason this place was special. Because to Ven’s surprise, he found he hadn’t been the first one awake this morning after all. Near the Master’s memorial, sitting with his back to Ven and his legs dangling over the edge of the island, was that man, the visitor.
Ven, Terra, Aqua, and their pre-existing guest Riku had stayed up long into the night hashing it out with this guy and the blonde lady he had arrived with. Terra had been in favour of forgiveness, Aqua had wanted to know more about their goals, Riku had cautioned against suddenly-recalled connections blooming in the minds of people who had spent so much time in Castle Oblivion. Ven guessed he had drifted off at some point, because he couldn’t remember how the conversation had ended.
He also couldn’t remember this person, Lauriam.
But that wasn’t going to stop him from saying hello, especially when he had already had so long to grow restless with the anticipation of getting to wish someone good morning.
Dozens of hazily-formed strategies for how to approach the situation flashed through Ven’s mind, but in the end he just chose what he usually did and decided not to overthink it. “Nice morning, huh?”
Lauriam only half-turned. Ven strode over and settled down on the edge like he would if it were just Terra or Aqua. This was his home, he was comfortable here, and acting like things were normal and fine was gonna make it be the case.
Lauriam watched Ven sit, then gestured to the wide sky in front of them. “This is what passes for morning in such places?”
Ven looked out. The ink of the sky was only just barely lightening over the distant mountains. He turned back to smile at Lauriam guiltily. Lauriam had one eyebrow quirked, but his own smile was fond.
Ven drummed his heels against the cliff face below him. “So... what did you guys decide at the meeting last night? I think I feel asleep before it ended.”
Lauriam sighed. “Not much, I’m afraid. My plans to prove my claims were essentially dashed by the unavailability of your Chirithy.”
“Ah, geez.” Ven had been awake for Lauriam’s initial request to call for Chirithy, but had missed the resolution. “Well, if it helps, Chirithy usually only goes out to look for Sora for about a week at a time. They’ll be back in a few days, probably? Or maybe even less if they find something good!” Ven laughed a little weakly, and hoped that Lauriam wouldn’t want to follow that particular line of conversation.
“I’m afraid that even a few days isn’t something we can spare at just this moment. For the sake of our current mission, as soon as Elrena awakes, we must move on.” Lauriam had his hand to his mouth in contemplation, but thankfully it seemed to be about something Ven couldn’t comprehend.
“Oh... well, I mean... another time, then, I guess, right?” He raised his arms, elbows bent and fists balled, as if to try to galvanize fighting spirit. It was too early in the morning to start thinking about Sora, but his heart still went out to whatever it was that was making Lauriam make that face.
Lauriam dropped his hand and chuckled softly. Mission success. “So much verve for so early in the day. Would that we could all have your energy, Ven.”
Ven smiled back, a beaming grin. He still wasn’t sure what to think about this stranger who had emerged from the void and claimed to be a piece in the puzzle of his missing memories. But it hadn’t escaped his notice that he hadn’t had to introduce himself to Lauriam. And, well... his friends called him Ven.
“On that note, I should check to see if my companion is ready to depart.” Slowly, Lauriam levered himself to his feet, particularly elegantly for someone whose knees doubtlessly ached from the chill of the small hours. “Even so, I hope you won’t mind that once my current task is done, my intention is to return here with some regularity to see how you are doing.”
“Sure thing! Door’s always open.” Ven twisted where he was sitting to offer a goodbye wave.
Lauriam smiled back at him, unspoken words etched on his face. Maybe Ven would get to hear them another time. This time, Lauriam just said, “It seems I’m powerless to stand in the way of my old habits as an older sibling. Perhaps that makes me weak.”
“What, no way!” Ven shook his head. “If anything, I’d say that makes you kind.”
Lauriam breathed a rueful laugh at that. He looked away from Ven, at the horizon.
“I’m glad,” he said, “that I found you.”
The sun was coming up.
Written for the prompt “Family” for Day 6 of KHUx Week. Thanks for reading!
